The Federal Maritime Commission is investigating conditions imposed by the Canadian government that "may adversely affect" the operation of U.S. carriers in the U.S.-Canada Great Lakes trade, the FMC said. The new Canadian regulations, which are set to take effect in September, would require U.S. vessels to install new ballast water management systems, the FMC said in a notice released May 21.

Flexport violated U.S. shipping laws by charging unfair detention and demurrage fees and millions of dollars in other "accessorial charges" at unreasonable rates, U.S.-based Giti Tire said in a complaint filed with the Federal Maritime Commission May 16. It alleged Flexport's invoices lacked required information, were "excessive and unreasonable" and duplicated charges also invoiced to another party, leading to $12.7 million in damages.

The British Columbia Maritime Employers Association filed a complaint with the Canada Industrial Relations Board against the International Longshore and Warehouse Union Ship and Dock Foremen Local 514 on May 10 for the labor union's "conduct" and its "intransigence at the bargaining table," the association said.

Flexport violated U.S. shipping laws when the logistics company failed to perform its "inland transportation obligations" and charged unfair detention and demurrage fees, Peloton said in a complaint filed with the Federal Maritime Commission May 3. Peloton said it paid "thousands" of improper detention and demurrage charges totaling "millions of dollars."

The Federal Maritime Commission has jurisdiction on cargo moved inland only under a through bill of lading, and contracts between a vessel-operating common carrier and a motor carrier not based on the through bill of lading would "likely be" outside the scope of commission's new detention and demurrage rule released in February (see 2402230049), the commission said. The FMC, in a correction to that rule set to be published in the May 9 Federal Register, stressed that a vessel-operating common carrier must comply with the new detention and demurrage requirements when issuing an invoice if FMC's jurisdiction applies.

Maersk has increased its Peak Season Surcharge as the company continues to reroute around the Cape of Good Hope for the "foreseeable future" because of Yemen-based Houthi attacks on commercial ships in the Red Sea (see 2401290052), the ocean carrier said May 6. The higher charges are being put in place to offset the cost of the longer journeys, increased sailing speeds and additional fuel costs.

The National Customs Brokers & Forwarders Association of America asked the Federal Maritime Commission questions on the demurrage and detention final rule (see 2402230049). The NCBFAA, in comments dated April 22, said the questions were submitted on behalf of its members and other "industry stakeholders" and raised several questions that were not addressed in the final rule.

President Joe Biden should support workers in the Baltimore region that were affected by the collapse of the Francis Scott Key Bridge (see 2403260047) the same way maritime workers were supported during the COVID-19 pandemic, Federal Maritime Commissioner Carl Bentzel wrote in a letter to the White House dated April 23. Bentzel said the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act, or CARES Act, could act as an example. The White House didn't respond to our request for comment.

Federal Maritime Commissioner Louis Sola met with the ambassador of the Bahamas to the U.S. to discuss "critical maritime issues," the FMC said in an April 23 statement. The meeting was held in Washington earlier in April. They discussed maritime sustainability, port infrastructure enhancements, and "other opportunities for cooperation" between the two nations' maritime sectors, "such as regulatory measures and economic incentives that strengthen the maritime industry," the commission said.

The Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration will hold three hearings in the coming months ahead of upcoming meetings of international bodies to discuss dangerous goods requirements, it said in a notice April 24.